PTPTN Chairman Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the loan repayment in the first 10 days (Oct 22-31) after the Budget 2017 presentation amounted to RM84.8 million.

“Discounts amounting to RM12.1 million were offered to all borrowers,” he told reporters after presenting warrants for cash advance financing for the parlimentary seats of Lenggong, Gerik, Padang Rengas and Kuala Kangsar, here yesterday.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had announced in his Budget 2017 speech that the government agreed to give a discount incentive effective Oct 22 until the end of next year to encourage loan repayments.

“If the repayment trend continues, we hope to achieve the collection target of RM18.3 billion for 2016 compared with a collection of RM9.6 billion up to date,” he said.

So far, he said PTPTN had blacklisted 264,000 defaulters and, out of that number, 90,000 borrowers had come forward for consultations with PTPTN.

“Any measures taken are not made arbitrarily because it has to take into account the views of all parties, besides placing an importance on negotiations and customer friendly services,” he said.